Methods and systems for analysis, tracking and modifications of call options on debt issuances

ABSTRACT

A computer-implemented method that includes receiving on a computer system, a price of a debt issuance; where the price of the debt issuance includes a cost for purchase of an embedded call option; calculating on a computer system, an actual cost of the purchase of the embedded call option; comparing on a computer system, the cost calculation of the call option to a rule based system of an alternative option type and a corresponding cost of the alternative option type; and determining on a computer system, based on the comparing step, the type of option to be embedded with the debt issuance.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of provisional applications Ser.No. 61/497,277, filed Jun. 15, 2011, entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FORANALYSIS, TRACKING, AND MODIFICATIONS OF CALL OPTIONS ON MUNICIPALBONDS,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety forall purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

In some embodiments, the instant invention relates to methods andsystems for purchasing call options on debt issuances. In someembodiments, the instant invention relates to computer methods andcomputer systems for the purchase of call options on municipal bonds.

BACKGROUND

Debt issuance call options are generally not “free”; they have aquantifiable cost separate and apart from the dollar price cost of theunderlying bond being issued. Differently structured options havedifferent costs, and different options have different likelihoods ofbeing exercised over their life; as such, differently structured optionscan serve different purposes for issuers. These options can beconsciously purchased, used and structured by issuers to achievespecific purposes.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention is a computer-implementedmethod that includes receiving on a computer system, a price of a debtissuance, wherein the price of the debt issuance includes a cost forpurchase of an embedded call option.

In an embodiment, the present invention further includes calculating ona computer system, an actual cost of the purchase of the embedded calloption; and comparing on a computer system, the cost calculation of thecall option to a rule based system of an alternative option type and acorresponding cost of the alternative option type.

In an embodiment, the present invention further includes determining ona computer system, based on the comparing step, the type of option to beembedded with the debt issuance.

In some embodiments, the alternate option type includes at least one ofa call option, a swaption, an interest rate option, a currency option, acommodity option, and a yield curve option. In some embodiments, thedebt issuance is a municipal bond.

In other embodiments, the rule based system further includes a structureof the alternate option type and a corresponding cost of the structureof the option type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be further explained with reference to theattached drawings, wherein like structures are referred to by likenumerals throughout the several views. The drawings shown are notnecessarily to scale, with emphasis instead generally being placed uponillustrating the principles of the present invention. Further, somefeatures may be exaggerated to show details of particular components.

FIG. 1 illustrates certain features of some embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 2 a-2 k illustrate certain features of some further embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 3 a-3 b illustrate certain features of some further embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 4 a-4 b illustrate certain features of some further embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 5 a-5 b illustrates certain features of some further embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates certain features of some further embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 7 a-7 f illustrate certain features of some further embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 8 a-8 m illustrate yet certain features of some furtherembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates yet certain features of some further embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates yet certain features of some further embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates yet certain features of some further embodiments ofthe present invention.

The figures constitute a part of this specification and includeillustrative embodiments of the present invention and illustrate variousobjects and features thereof. Further, the figures are not necessarilyto scale, some features may be exaggerated to show details of particularcomponents. In addition, any measurements, specifications and the likeshown in the figures are intended to be illustrative, and notrestrictive. Therefore, specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Among those benefits and improvements that have been disclosed, otherobjects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingfigures. Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely illustrative of the invention that may be embodied in variousforms. In addition, each of the examples given in connection with thevarious embodiments of the invention which are intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive.

Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take themeanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. The phrases “In some embodiments” and “in someembodiments” as used herein do not necessarily refer to the sameembodiment(s), though it may. Furthermore, the phrases “in anotherembodiment” and “in some other embodiments” as used herein do notnecessarily refer to a different embodiment, although it may. Thus, asdescribed below, various embodiments of the invention may be readilycombined, without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

In addition, as used herein, the term “or” is an inclusive “or”operator, and is equivalent to the term “and/or,” unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise. The term “based on” is not exclusive andallows for being based on additional factors not described, unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, throughout thespecification, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” include pluralreferences. The meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.”

In some embodiments, the term “municipal bond” as used herein refers toa negotiable certificate that acknowledges the indebtedness of the bondissuer to the holder issued by a city or other local government, ortheir agencies.

In some embodiments, the term “call option” as used herein refers to afinancial contract between two parties, the buyer and the seller. Thebuyer of the call option has the right, but not the obligation to buy anagreed quantity of a particular commodity or financial instrument fromthe seller of the call option at a certain time for a certain price.

In some embodiments, the term “hedging position” as used herein refersto an investment position intended to offset potential losses that maybe incurred by a companion investment.

In some embodiments, the term “callable bonds” as used herein refers toa type of bond that allows the issuer of the bond to retain theprivilege of redeeming the bond at some point before the bond reachesits date of maturity.

In some embodiments, the term “year par call” as used herein refers tothe date at which an issuer can redeem part or all of a security priorto maturity.

In some embodiments, the term “swaptions” as used herein refers to anoption granting its owner the right but not the obligation to enter intoan underlying swap. In some embodiments, the term “swap” as used hereinrefers to a derivative in which counterparties exchange cash flows ofone party's financial instrument for those of the other party'sfinancial instrument.

In some embodiments, the term “make-whole call” as used herein refers toa type of call provision on a bond allowing the borrower to pay offremaining debt early.

In some embodiments, the term “noncallable” as used herein refers to afinancial security that cannot be redeemed early by the issuer.

In some embodiments, the term “data” as used herein means any indicia,signals, marks, symbols, domains, symbol sets, representations, and anyother physical form or forms representing information, whether permanentor temporary, whether visible, audible, acoustic, electric, magnetic,electromagnetic or otherwise manifested. In some embodiments, the term“data” as used to represent pre-determined information in one physicalnon-transient form shall be deemed to encompass any and allrepresentations of corresponding information in a different physicalform or forms.

In some embodiments, the term “presentation data” as used herein meansdata to be presented to a person in any perceptible form, including butnot limited to, visual form and aural form. Examples of presentationdata include data displayed on a visual presentation device, such as aPDA, a smart phone, a monitor, and data printed on paper.

In some embodiments, the term “presentation device” as used herein meansa device or devices capable of presenting data to a person in anyperceptible form.

In some embodiments, the term “database” as used herein means anorganized body of related data, regardless of the manner in which thedata or the organized body thereof is represented. For example, theorganized body of related data may be in the form of one or more of atable, a map, a grid, a packet, a datagram, a frame, a file, an e-mail,a message, a document, a list or in any other suitable form.

In some embodiments, the term “image dataset” as used herein means adatabase suitable for use as presentation data or for use in producingpresentation data.

In some embodiments, the term “auxiliary image feature” as used hereinmeans one or more of the color, brightness, shading, shape or texture ofan image.

In some embodiments, the term “network” as used herein includes bothnetworks and internetworks of all kinds, including the Internet, and isnot limited to any particular network or inter-network. For example,“network” includes those that are implemented using wired links,wireless links or any combination of wired and wireless links.

In some embodiments, the terms “first”, “second”, “primary” and“secondary” are used to distinguish one element, set, data, object,step, process, activity or thing from another, and are not used todesignate relative position or arrangement in time, unless otherwisestated explicitly.

In some embodiments, the terms “coupled”, “coupled to”, “coupled with,”“connected”, and “connected with” as used herein each mean arelationship between or among two or more devices, apparatus, files,circuits, elements, functions, operations, processes, programs, media,components, networks, systems, subsystems, and/or means, constitutingany one or more of (a) a connection, whether direct or through one ormore other devices, apparatus, files, circuits, elements, functions,operations, processes, programs, media, components, networks, systems,subsystems, or means, (b) a communication relationship, whether director through one or more other devices, apparatus, files, circuits,elements, functions, operations, processes, programs, media, components,networks, systems, subsystems, or means, and/or (c) a functionalrelationship in which the operation of any one or more devices,apparatus, files, circuits, elements, functions, operations, processes,programs, media, components, networks, systems, subsystems, or meansdepends, in whole or in part, on the operation of any one or more othersthereof.

In some embodiments, the terms “communicate,” “communicating” and“communication” as used herein include both conveying data from a sourceto a destination, and delivering data to a communication medium, system,channel, network, device, wire, cable, fiber, circuit and/or link to beconveyed to a destination. The term “communications” as used hereinincludes one or more of a communication medium, system, channel,network, device, wire, cable, fiber, circuit and link.

In some embodiments, the term “processor” as used herein meansprocessing devices, apparatus, programs, circuits, components, systemsand subsystems, whether implemented in hardware, software or both, andwhether or not programmable. In some embodiments, the term “processor”as used herein includes, but is not limited to one or more computers,hardwired circuits, neural networks, signal modifying devices andsystems, devices and machines for controlling systems, centralprocessing units, programmable devices and systems, field programmablegate arrays, application specific integrated circuits, systems on achip, systems comprised of discrete elements and/or circuits, statemachines, virtual machines, data processors, processing facilities andcombinations of any of the foregoing.

In some embodiments, the term “data processing system” as used hereinmeans a system implemented at least in part by hardware and comprising adata input device, a data output device and a processor coupled with thedata input device to receive data therefrom and coupled with the outputdevice to provide processed data thereto.

In some embodiments, the terms “obtain”, “obtained” and “obtaining”, asused with respect to a processor or data processing system mean (a)producing data by processing data, (b) retrieving data from storage, or(c) requesting and receiving data from a further data processing system.

In some embodiments, the terms “storage” and “data storage” as usedherein mean one or more data storage devices, apparatus, programs,circuits, components, systems, subsystems, locations and storage mediaserving to retain data, whether on a temporary or permanent basis, andto provide such retained data.

The present invention relates to debt issuances that include, but arenot limited to, municipal bonds. Any reference to municipal or municipalbond is not limiting and may include other types of debt issuances. Amunicipal issuer's purchase of a call option on a debt issuance has adiscrete, quantifiable cost. In one embodiment, a municipal bond issuercan incorporate an option purchase analysis element into its debt policyto help focus awareness on the cost and appropriate usage of calloptions. In one embodiment, elements of such a policy are describedbelow.

Call Option Purchase Decisions

Debt issuance call options are generally not “free”; they have aquantifiable cost separate and apart from the dollar price cost of theunderlying bond being issued. Differently structured options havedifferent costs, and different options have different likelihoods ofbeing exercised over their life; as such, differently structured optionscan serve different purposes for issuers and may be consciouslypurchased, used and structured by issuers to achieve specific purposes.In some embodiments, a municipal issuer can consider establishing adiscrete component of its debt policy that sets forth its reasons orpurposes for purchasing options in conjunction with its bond offeringsin the new issue marketplace, and seek to define the type and/orcharacteristics of such option that best suits its purposes as well asthe option cost it is willing to pay to achieve such goals. In someembodiments, although an issuer might execute its option strategies inconjunction with its debt issuance new issuances, it can develop anoption management strategy and framework that is maintainedindependently of its bond offering activities.

In one embodiment, non-limiting, recommended rule based system fordeveloping a strategic option management framework are described in thefollowing paragraphs.

Rule Based System

Issuers may view their option purchases on a standalone basis andevaluate their overall optionality portfolio on a standalone basis;

Issuers may attempt to look at their combined overall liability (debt)and asset (investment) portfolio characteristics when making optionalitypurchase decisions on the debt/bond side of the balance sheet;

Issuers may seek to use option purchases as a tool in an overallstrategy to “immunize” their overall combined asset/liability portfolioagainst changes in market interest rates. In another embodiment, anissuer can use option purchases as a tool for managing the impact thatvarious econometric measures or economic activity are expected to haveon the issuer's overall revenues or asset/liability portfolio andstructure option purchases in a manner to generate offsettingbenefits/risks accordingly;

Although new issue structuring and optionality purchases are closelytied elements of a debt issuance offering, an issuer may seek to thebest extent possible to undertake an independent decision-making processwith respect to option purchases at time of a bond offering, and mayseek to make conscious and deliberate decisions regarding optionpurchases in conjunction with its bond offering process; and/or

Issuers may implement the rule based system to determine what portfoliomanagement purposes or goals are being satisfied with the purchase of anoption and whether the price and structure of the option being purchasedmeet the identified goals.

Market-Specific Guidelines

In some embodiments, when an issuer has established its rule basedsystem for option management, the issuer can determine the type,structure and cost of the options available in the marketplace at timeof marketing its debt issuances and make its option purchase decisionsin a manner consistent with the non-limiting, recommended GeneralGuidelines identified above. In some embodiments, specific stepsinvolved in this process may include one or more of the following:

Determine the specific reason/goals for purchasing the option consistentwith its rule based system. In some embodiments, these rule based systemmay include, but are not limited to, the following:

Creation of Hedging Positions—Determine whether or how the purchase ofthe option satisfies the hedging need of the issuer consistent withGeneral Guideline #3 from above;

Creation of Value Positions—Confirm that the issuer believes that theprice of the option represents a significant value (intrinsic orotherwise) at the time of purchase. In this case the issuer should alsodetermine that the expenditures of capital budget moneys to purchasesuch “value” positions is consistent with the issuer's overall debtmanagement or capital expenditure policies; and/or

Conformance With Market Realities—Determine that call options mayrealistically be purchased during periods where the municipal new issuemarket strongly prefers to purchase callable bonds at time of issuance,or that there is a significantly deeper or wider market for callablebonds, and/or that the issuer is unable to sell non-callable debt in thesize, structure and maturities it is seeking to market bonds. Themunicipal new issue marketplace may include limitations on the amountand structure of noncallable debt that can be issued at reasonableprices and/or on the amount and structure of “unconventional” options(i.e. short call or par-coupon call options) that can be purchased atcost effective prices.

Seek ways to modify/tailor option structures (i.e. an 8 year par callversus a 10 year par call) so as to enhance the value of the optionrelative to its portfolio management goals from above and/or takeadvantage of relative value opportunities.

Compare the market-based cost of the call option with conventionalhypothetical option valuation methodologies such as binomial tree tocompare hypothetical option cost with actual option cost.

Develop the ability/methodology to use swaptions and other types ofinterest rate option products that are more actively and transparentlytraded as tools for assessing the value and relative value of the bondoptions being considered for purchase and/or as proxies or purchasealternatives to call options purchased in the municipal bond new issuemarket.

Seek ways to incorporate other types options (i.e. currency, commodity,and yield curve options, etc.) into its bond option component if thesetypes of options are consistent with the issuer's General Guidelines andcan be incorporated in a cost effective manner

Additionally, in some embodiments, an issuer can evaluate at optionpurchases by issuers across its entire portfolio (i.e. by theMassachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust (MWPAT) and theMassachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) in addition to GeneralObligation (GO)), and seek to opportunistically manage its optionportfolio and purchases on a holistic portfolio-wide basis in the mostcost effective possible overall manner.

In one embodiment, strategic considerations for analyzing the cost of acall option include, but is not limited to, consideration of the cost ofcall option versus non-call or make-whole call; evaluation whetherpaying for interest rate optionality (versus at-market redemptionoption) is a necessary “capital” expenditure; and consideration of thepurchase of the call in cash market with a resale and gain in.

The table shown in FIG. 1 is a non-limiting example of the call optioncost analysis described above.

In one embodiment, a non-limiting example valuation analysis is shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B and the tables shown in FIGS. 2C to 2K. Another,non-limiting example of evaluating an option value is shown on FIG. 3Aand the table shown on FIG. 3B. The table on FIG. 3B shows the internalrate of return (IRR) of the option purchase. Yet another non-limitingexample of evaluating an option value is shown on FIG. 4A and tableshown on FIG. 4B. The table on FIG. 4B shows the IRR of the optionpurchase.

In yet another, non-limiting example, a synthetic call option productthat uses derivative applications may be used to simulate the economicsof callable bonds. Historically, bond transactions have been structuredto include the purchase of call options. Call options are “embedded”into the bond structure, effectively purchased directly from the bondinvestor, and are instrumental in allowing the issuer to take advantageof changes in future interest rate markets. Synthetic call options aredesigned to incorporate derivative applications. In an embodiment, thecomparison between the synthetic call option product and theconventional bond market is shown in FIG. 5A. As shown in the figure, aconventional fixed rate bond call Jul. 1, 2018 at 100% corresponds to athe purchase of an embedded cell option which is economically equivalentto the purchase of a swap option to receive fixed and pay floating. Alsoshown in the figure is non-callable fixed rate bond and swaptionpurchase which corresponds with the purchase of a swaption to receivefixed and pay floating. FIG. 5B shows the historical call optionvaluation for a Series 2007 Term Bond 1.

In some embodiments, the synthetic call option position may becontrolled independently of bond position. In some embodiments, thesynthetic call option can be “exercised” at any time by selling in theopen market. In an embodiment, the synthetic call option position can beliquidated at any time at market without restrictions and thus does notrequire implementation of a cumbersome advance refunding to unlockoption savings.

In some embodiments, the synthetic call option position provides anability to customize couponing, term, size and exercise date. In otherembodiments, the synthetic call option may be structured as an “at themoney” option versus the more expensive “in the money” option positionfound on embedded bond option. In an embodiment, the Issuer risks lesscapital in purchasing its option position. In some embodiments, thebonds may have a make-whole call for preservation of an restructuringoption.

In yet another embodiment, the option position may be controlledindependently of bond position. In an embodiment, the synthetic calloption can be “exercised” at any time by selling in the open market. Inan embodiment, the option position can be liquidated at any time atmarket without restrictions. In some embodiments, this option providesthe ability to customize couponing, term, size and exercise date. Insome embodiments, the option position may be structured as an “at themoney” option versus the more expensive “in the money” option positionfound on embedded bond option. In some embodiments, the issuer risksless capital in purchasing its option position. In some embodiments, thebonds can have make-whole call for preservation of restructuring option.

Bond call options are frequently purchased by municipal bond issuerswith only minimal analysis of the independent cost of the embeddedoption. The issuer generally evaluates only the aggregate price for thebond and the embedded option combined. In one embodiment, theindependent cost of the option can be separately calculated by valuingthe price of the bond with the call option stripped off (i.e. a noncallable bond) and comparing this price with the price paid by theinvestor for the callable bond with the embedded option. In oneembodiment, a system that includes, but is not limited to, calculationof the prices paid by issuers over time for their call option purchases.In an embodiment, the system also includes calculation and monitoring ofthe “market value” of the option positions over time. “Market value” ismeasured as the present value savings from a hypothetical refunding ofthe underlying bond with non callable debt. When an issuer undertakes arefunding with non callable bonds, it is effectively “re-selling” thisoption in the market. In an embodiment, municipal issuers may comparethis “realized value” of option sales upon a refunding to a benchmarksale hurdle price (i.e. 3% savings). In some embodiments, the systemcreates an additional metric for gauging the viability both of owningoptions and re-selling options by calculating and monitoring the Returnon Investment (“ROI”) of option purchases and re-sale.

In a non-limiting example, two recent advance refunding transactions(the 2006B and the 2006C Refundings) have been analyzed to determine theROI of the option investments. In the example, certain assumptions forthe refunding calculations to arrive at present value savings permaturity have been incorporated. The tables shown in FIG. 6 show theinitial price paid for the options and compares that price with thevalue realized for the option upon refunding.

In the non-limiting example shown in the tables shown in FIG. 6 anddescribed above, although the 2006B refunding produced present valuesavings close to or in excess of 3%, there were several maturities ofthe 2005C where ROI's were marginal or negative due to the high initialcost of the option. In some embodiments, option values and IRRs may beclosely monitored for market opportunities such as the 2006C refundingproduced and as a check on a conventional one dimensional present valuesavings refunding test. In some embodiments, short term gains after30-40 basis point (bps) market changes that produce high IRR's may beconsidered for refundings. In other embodiments, the overall optionsstrategy and policy may be guided potentially based on the answers toone or more of the following questions:

Are there alternative methods of achieving redemption flexibility otherthan purchasing interest rate optionality (i.e. make-whole calls)?;

Is the purchase of interest rate optionality an effective or appropriateusage of capital program funds?;

If a systematic purchase of interest rate option positions is the goal,should the issuer adopt a rule based system?

What are the alternative methods for purchasing interest rateoptionality and are those methods more suitable?

As stated above, bond call options are frequently purchased by municipalbond issuers with minimal analysis of the independent cost of theembedded option. The issuer generally evaluates only the aggregate pricefor the bond and the embedded option combined. In one embodiment, theindependent cost of the option can be separately calculated by valuingthe price of the bond with the call option stripped off (i.e. a noncallable bond) and comparing this price with the price paid by theinvestor for the callable bond with the embedded option. In oneembodiment, a system that includes, but is not limited to, calculationof the prices paid by issuers over time for their call option purchases.In an embodiment, the system also includes calculation and monitoring ofthe “market value” of the option positions over time. “Market value” ismeasured as the present value savings from a hypothetical refunding ofthe underlying bond with non callable debt. When an issuer undertakes arefunding with non callable bonds, it is effectively “re-selling” thisoption in the market. In an embodiment, municipal issuers may comparethis “realized value” of option sales upon a refunding to a benchmarksale hurdle price (i.e. 3% savings). In some embodiments, the systemcreates an additional metric for gauging the viability both of owningoptions and re-selling options by calculating and monitoring the Returnon Investment (“ROI”) of option purchases and re-sale.

In a non-limiting example, the value of historical call options has beenanalyzed. The results of the analysis is shown on FIGS. 7A-7F. Optionvalues and IRRs may be monitored closely for market opportunities. Shortterm gains after 30 to 40 bps market changes that produce high IRR's maybe considered for refundings. Similar to the example above, the overalloptions strategy and policy may be guided potentially based on theanswers to one or more of the following questions:

Are there alternative methods of achieving redemption flexibility otherthan purchasing interest rate optionality (i.e. make-whole calls)?;

Is the purchase of interest rate optionality an effective or appropriateusage of capital program funds?;

If a systematic purchase of interest rate option positions is the goal,should the issuer adopt a rule based system?

What are the alternative methods for purchasing interest rateoptionality and are those methods more suitable?

In other non-limiting examples, evaluations of the ROIs associated withvarious Series options are shown in the tables shown in FIGS. 8A-8M.

In non-limiting examples of the present invention, the rule based systemis exemplified. Specifically, examples of the underlying ROIcalculations associated with the present invention are provided. Thesenon-limiting examples include a description of the process of anembodiment of the present invention. Data include with these example ispresented in the tables shown in FIG. 9.

In an example, each refunding candidate includes a series description,the maturity date of the associated bonds, the coupon rate, the paramount, the call date and the call price.

Based on the information and additional information from one or moreremote databases, the data results are calculated which may include, butis not limited to the Option Price at Issue, the Option Value currently,the gain/losses between these two values and the ROI. For the ROI, aninterest rate is calculated that discounts the Option Exercise ValueCurrently to the Option Price at Issue at the time of issuance. In thisexample, the interest rate is calculated based on a user-definedfunction to be used in a spreadsheet program such as MS Excel® orequivalent. In this example, the calculation iterates until the correctrate is calculated.

In this example, the Option Value Currently is first calculated. Thevalue is calculated as the net present value savings of refunding therefunding candidate today. Based on the user inputs, the presentinvention incorporates the current market yield for new refunding bonds,the escrow reinvestment rate, the coupon for the new refunding bonds,and the call date or final maturity for the refunding bonds. In thisexample, from these inputs and based on an initial description of thebonds, the net present value refunding savings can be calculated via auser-defined function to be used in a spreadsheet program such as MSExcel®. The first half of the gain/loss calculation is completed basedon this calculation.

For the second half of the gain/loss calculation, the historical indexinformation and pricing information related to the candidates isevaluated. From the inputs, the number of 30/360 years between the SaleDate and the Maturity Date of bonds is calculated. Based on the numberof years calculated, the equivalent Municipal Market Data (MMD) indexrate for that maturity and its Non-Callable MMD index rate for that dayare used to calculate the difference in yield prevailing in the marketthat day for issuance of non-callable bonds compared with callablebonds. Alternate index rates other than the MMD index rate may be used.In some embodiments, the index rates will be based on an internaldatabase of historical market prices.

In this example, based on the original yield input and the Original NCDifference, the Calculated NC Yield can be calculated. With both theoriginal yield and the Calculated NC Yield, the Original Price and theCalculated NC Price can be calculated based on, for example, the PRICEfunction in a spreadsheet program such as MS Excel®. By subtracting theOriginal Price from the Calculated NC Price, the Option Price at Issuecan be calculated. The example shown on FIG. 9 is based on a $100 bond.

Next, the Option Price at Issue can be subtracted from the Option PriceCurrently to calculate the Gain/(Loss). In some embodiments, if eitherthe Option Price at Issue or the Option Value Currently is less thanzero, the model will replace these values with zero. The MS Excel® orequivalent User-Defined Function may then calculate the rate required todiscount the Option Exercise Value Currently (as of today) to the OptionPrice at Issue (as of the delivery date of the bonds). This value is therate of return on investment for going long municipal bond call option.

By looking back to market conditions from the sale date of refundingcandidates and calculating an original option price based on thedifferential between the callable and non-callable MMD curves, theoriginal call option price can then be calculated. Based on the originaloption price, the percentage return on investment for the candidate canthen be calculated.

The User-Defined Functions referenced above are discussed in furtherdetail below:

Non-limiting example of User-Defined Function 1: ROI( )—this functionhas three inputs: PresentCashflow, FutureCashflow and Periods. Thefunction may begin with an initial guess of an interest rate 50% thencalculates the future value (named GuessResult1) based on the initialrate assumption and number of periods. The function then performs thiscalculation again with a second guess of an interest rate of 100% for afuture value identified as GuessResult2. With both GuessResult1 andGuessResult2, the model uses the following formula to calculate a thirdguess:Guess3=Guess2+(Guess1−Guess2)/(GuessResult1−GuessResult2)*(TargetValue−GuessResult2).The Target Value is the FutureValue input. This process continues untilthe “guess” is, within a degree of accuracy, correct. Additionalinformation related to an example of the User-Defined Function 1 isshown below.

End Function

Non-limiting example of User-Defined Function 2: SavingsByMat ( )—Thisfunction may include up to twelve inputs: Settlement Date, MaturityDate, Call Date, Call Price, Par Amount, Coupon, Cost of Issuance,Refunding Yield, Refunding Coupon, Escrow Yield, Refunding Call Date andRefunding Last Maturity. Based on the Settlement Date, Call Date, Couponand Escrow Yield, the function creates an escrow requirement table tocalculate the necessary escrow deposit. Using the Settlement Date,Maturity Date and Coupon a refunded debt service schedule is thencreated. Then based on the cost of issuance input and the necessaryescrow deposit along with the Refunding Yield, Refunding Coupon,Refunding Call Date and Refunding Last Maturity, the refunding bonds aresized. Once the refunding bonds are sized, the new refunding debtservice schedule is calculated which is then compared with the refundeddebt service schedule. These two schedules are then netted from eachother and present valued to the settlement date for the present valuesavings. Additional information related to an example of theUser-Defined Function 2 is shown below.

EXAMPLES OF ILLUSTRATIVE OPERATING ENVIRONMENTS Examples of FIG. 10

FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of an environment in which thepresent invention may operate. However, not all of these components maybe required to practice the invention, and variations in the arrangementand type of the components may be made without departing from the spiritor scope of the invention. In some embodiments, the instant inventioncan host a large number of persons and concurrent transactions. In otherembodiments, the instant invention can be based on a scalable computerand network architecture that incorporates varies strategies forassessing the data, caching, searching, and database connection pooling.An example of the scalable architecture is an architecture that iscapable of operating multiple servers.

In embodiments, persons' computer devices 102-104 include virtually anycomputing device capable of receiving and sending a message over anetwork, such as network 105, to and from another computing device, suchas servers 106 and 107, each other, and the like. In embodiments, theset of such devices includes devices that typically connect using awired communications medium such as personal computers, multiprocessorsystems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics,network PCs, and the like. In embodiments, the set of such devices alsoincludes devices that typically connect using a wireless communicationsmedium such as cell phones, smart phones, pagers, walkie talkies, radiofrequency (RF) devices, infrared (IR) devices, CBs, integrated devicescombining one or more of the preceding devices, or virtually any mobiledevice, and the like. Similarly, in embodiments, persons' computerdevices 102-104 are any device that is capable of connecting using awired or wireless communication medium such as a PDA, POCKET PC,wearable computer, and any other device that is equipped to communicateover a wired and/or wireless communication medium.

In some embodiments, each person computer device within client devices102-104 can include a browser application that is configured to receiveand to send web pages, and the like. In embodiments, the browserapplication is configured to receive and display graphics, text,multimedia, and the like, employing virtually any web based language,including, but not limited to Standard Generalized Markup Language(SMGL), such as HyperText Markup Language (HTML), a wireless applicationprotocol (WAP), a Handheld Device Markup Language (HDML), such asWireless Markup Language (WML), WMLScript, JavaScript, and the like. Inembodiments, persons' computer devices 102-104 can be programmed ineither Java or .Net.

In some embodiments, persons' computer devices 102-104 are furtherconfigured to receive a message from the another computing deviceemploying another mechanism, including, but not limited to email, ShortMessage Service (SMS), Multimedia Message Service (MMS), instantmessaging (IM), internet relay chat (IRC), mIRC, Jabber, and the like.

In some embodiments, network 105 is configured to couple one computingdevice to another computing device to enable them to communicate. Inembodiments, network 105 is enabled to employ any form of computerreadable media for communicating information from one electronic deviceto another. Also, in embodiments, network 105 includes a wirelessinterface, and/or a wired interface, such as the Internet, in additionto local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), directconnections, such as through a universal serial bus (USB) port, otherforms of computer-readable media, or any combination thereof. Inembodiments, on an interconnected set of LANs, including those based ondiffering architectures and protocols, a router acts as a link betweenLANs, enabling messages to be sent from one to another.

Also, in some embodiments, communication links within LANs typicallyinclude twisted wire pair or coaxial cable, while communication linksbetween networks may utilize analog telephone lines, full or fractionaldedicated digital lines including T1, T2, T3, and T4, IntegratedServices Digital Networks (ISDNs), Digital Subscriber Lines (DSLs),wireless links including satellite links, or other communications linksknown to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, in embodiments, remotecomputers and other related electronic devices could be remotelyconnected to either LANs or WANs via a modem and temporary telephonelink.

In essence, in embodiments, network 105 includes any communicationmethod by which information may travel between client devices 102-104,and servers 106 and 107.

Examples of FIG. 11

FIG. 11 shows the computer and network architecture of some embodimentsof the instant invention. The persons' computer devices 202 a, 202 bthru 202 n shown, each comprises a computer-readable medium, such as arandom access memory (RAM) 208 coupled to a processor 210. The processor210 executes computer-executable program instructions stored in memory208. Such processors comprise a microprocessor, an ASIC, and statemachines. Such processors comprise, or are be in communication with,media, for example computer-readable media, which stores instructionsthat, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform thesteps described herein. Embodiments of computer-readable media include,but are not limited to, an electronic, optical, magnetic, or otherstorage or transmission device capable of providing a processor, such asthe processor 210 of client 202 a, with computer-readable instructions.Other examples of suitable media include, but are not limited to, afloppy disk, CD-ROM, DVD, magnetic disk, memory chip, ROM, RAM, an ASIC,a configured processor, all optical media, all magnetic tape or othermagnetic media, or any other medium from which a computer processor canread instructions. Also, various other forms of computer-readable mediatransmit or carry instructions to a computer, including a router,private or public network, or other transmission device or channel, bothwired and wireless. The instructions comprise code from anycomputer-programming language, including, for example, C, C++, C#,Visual Basic, Java, Python, Perl, and JavaScript.

The persons' computer devices 202 a-n can also comprise a number ofexternal or internal devices such as a mouse, a CD-ROM, DVD, a keyboard,a display, or other input or output devices. Examples of persons'computer devices 202 a-n are personal computers, digital assistants,personal digital assistants, cellular phones, mobile phones, smartphones, pagers, digital tablets, laptop computers, Internet appliances,and other processor-based devices. In general, a person device 202 a arebe any type of processor-based platform that is connected to a network206 and that interacts with one or more application programs. Thepersons' computer devices 202 a-n operate on any operating systemcapable of supporting a browser or browser-enabled application, such asMicrosoft™, Windows™, or Linux. The persons' computer devices 202 a-nshown include, for example, personal computers executing a browserapplication program such as Microsoft Corporation's Internet Explorer™,Apple Computer, Inc.'s Safari™, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera.

Through the persons' computer devices 202 a-n, persons 212 a-n of theinstant invention can communicate over the network 206 with acentralized computer system, and/or each other, and/or with othersystems and devices coupled to the network 206. As shown in FIG. 3,server devices 204 and 213 are also coupled to the network 206.

In some embodiments, the instant invention can utilize NFC technology toobtain/transmit information. In some embodiments, NFC can represent ashort-range wireless communications technology in which NFC-enableddevices are “swiped,” “bumped,” “tap” or otherwise moved in closeproximity to communicate. In some embodiments, NFC could include a setof short-range wireless technologies, typically requiring a distance of10 cm or less. In some embodiment, NFC can operates at 13.56 MHz onISO/IEC 18000-3 air interface and at rates ranging from 106 kbit/s to424 kbit/s. In some embodiments, NFC can involve an initiator and atarget; the initiator actively generates an RF field that can power apassive target. In some embodiment, this can enable NFC targets to takevery simple form factors such as tags, stickers, key fobs, or cards thatdo not require batteries. In some embodiments, NFC peer-to-peercommunication can be conducted when a plurality of NFC-enable devicewithin close proximity of each other.

In some embodiments, NFC tags can contain data and be read-only orrewriteable. In some embodiment, NFC tags can be custom-encoded. In someembodiments, NFC tags and/or NFC-enabled device (e.g., smart phones withNFC capabilities) can securely store personal data such as debit andcredit card information, loyalty program data, PINs and networkingcontacts, and/or other information. NFC tags can be encoded to pass aUniform Resource Locator (URL) and a processor of the NFC-enabled devicecan automatically direct a browser application thereof to the URLwithout prompting for permission to proceed to the designated location.

In some embodiments, lottery data may also be communicated using anywireless means of communication, such as 4G, 3G, GSM, GPRS, WiFi, WiMax,and other remote local or remote wireless communication usinginformation obtained via the interfacing of a wireless NFC enabledmobile device to another NFC enabled device or a NFC tag. In someembodiments, the term “wireless communications” includes communicationsconducted at ISO 14443 and ISO 18092 interfaces. In some embodiments,the communications between person's NFC-enabled smart device and lotteryprovided equipment (e.g., terminals, POS, POE, Hosts) is performed, forexample, in accordance with the ISO 14443A/B standard and/or the ISO18092 standard.

In some embodiments, player's NFC-enabled smart device and/or lotteryprovided equipment (e.g., terminals, POS, POE, Hosts) can include one ormore additional transceivers (e.g., radio, Bluetooth, and/or WiFitransceivers) and associated antennas, and enabled to communicate witheach other by way of one or more mobile and/or wireless protocols. Insome embodiments, NFC tags can include one or more integrated circuits.

In some embodiments, person's NFC-enabled smart device may include acellular transceiver coupled to the processor and receiving a cellularnetwork timing signal. In some embodiments, person's NFC-enabled smartdevice may further include a satellite positioning receiver coupled tothe processor and receiving a satellite positioning system timingsignal, and the processor may accordingly be configured to synchronizethe internal timing signal to the satellite positioning system timingsignal as the external timing signal. In some embodiments, the processorof person's NFC-enabled smart device may be configured to synchronizethe internal timing signal to the common external system timing signalvia the NFC circuit.

While a number of embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed, it is understood that these embodiments are illustrativeonly, and not restrictive, and that many modifications may becomeapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method comprising:receiving on a computer system, a price of a debt issuance; wherein theprice of the debt issuance includes a cost for purchase of an embeddedcall option; calculating on a computer system, an actual cost of thepurchase of the embedded call option; comparing on a computer system,the cost calculation of the call option to a rule based system of analternative option type and a corresponding cost of the alternativeoption type; and determining on a computer system, based on thecomparing step, the type of option to be embedded with the debtissuance.
 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein thealternate option type comprises at least one of the following i) calloption ii) swaption iii) interest rate option iv) currency option v)commodity option vi) yield curve option
 3. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 1, wherein the debt issuance is a municipal bond.
 4. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the rule based systemfurther comprises a structure of the alternate option type and acorresponding cost of the structure of the option type.